Ash tray



H. M. FODDY- Nov. 16, 1948.

ASH TRAY 2 sheets sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1942 D2 pen for Nov. 1 6, 1948. a FODDY 2,453,790

' ASH TRAY Filed June 22, l942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .fnvenfor meow/u 5000;

flilorneya Patented Nov. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE ASH TRAY Harold M. Foddy, Colrain, Mass. Application June 22, 1942, Serial No. 447,892 (c1. 131- 240) 4 Claims.

' to lean the cigarette on the rim of the tray with the lighted end resting on the bottom of the tray.

Both of these methods have been recognized as unsatisfactory because where there is a substantial surface contact between the burning portion of the cigarette and the tray for any substantial length of time incomplete combustion occurs, resulting in the production of tar-like substances which not only stain the paper of the cigarette but also destroy the original flavor of the tobacco and impart an acrid taste to the smoke when the cigarette is again picked up and smoking resumed. The sweating of the cigarette and the production of the tar-like deposits also foul the supports. Numerous attempts have been made to overcome these difiiculties by providing supports making a minimum contact with the cigarette, but any contact causes incomplete combustion, uneven burning, sweating, and creation of the tarry deposit at the point of contact.

It is the principal object of my invention to overcome these difiiculties to a greater extent than hitherto, and in general I accomplish this object by a combination of supporting parts or edges so arranged that the burning cigarette though unattended periodically rearranges itself on the support, prior to objectionable contact of the progressively burning end with the support.

Other and further objects residing in the details of the relative arrangement of the supporting elements by which motion is imparted to the cigarette will be made apparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing the invention is illustrated as applied to a tray formed of plastic or ceramic material but it will be understood that the invention may be applied to supports formed of any material capable of being formed to provide the desired combination of supporting contacts.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tray embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a further section substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 to '7, inclusive, are diagrammatic plan views of one of the support units, respectively showing positions A, B, C, and D of the cigarette, the cigarette being shown in dotted lines; and

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are diagrammatic elevational views of one of the support units looking radially outwardly 'from the dome and showing the supporting points corresponding respectively to the positions of Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, the cigarette being omitted.

Referring to the drawings, the tray is shown as comprising a main body lllhaving an annular portion ll upon which the cigarette supports are formed. inwardly of portion H is an ash receiving trough l2 and a central dome-shaped memher M. The body 10 may be secured to a shallow tray it of greater diameter than the body it and forming an annular receiving trough l6 outwardly of the annular portion ll.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, an annular part of the upper face of portion ll is formed with a series of support units, two of which are generally indicated at X and Y Fig. 1, spaced around the tray as desired, the number of units employed being a matter of choice. Each unit is formed-by shaping the material to provide in each unit sinuous inner and outer edges I! and t8 separated by depressions l9. In the form illustrated, as is apparent from Fig. 1, the inner edge l'l' in one unit crosses over and becomes the outer edge l8 of the next unit. This continuity of edges H and I8 between adjacent units is for the purpose of appearance only. Edge IS in each unit includes the throat 2B of an inclined half cylindrical groove 2| which closely conforms to the diameter of a cigarette.

In the drawing I have illustrated four positions of the cigarette designated A, B, C, and D. A cigarette initially properly placed approximately in position A will successively assume the positions B, C, and D if left unattended. All of the positions are shown in Fig. 1 but are shown separately in Figs. 4 to '7, inclusive.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the dome member I4 is formed with a series of concentric circular channels 22 having sharp edges 23. In initial position A, the cigarette finds a temporarily stable rest with its lighted end resting at point a on the dome and with portions rearwardly of its centerresting on a point a on edge 18 and a point a on a downwardly curving edge 25 connecting edge 18 with the edge of groove 2!. The elevation of points a a and a are such that the cigarette in position A overlies, without touching, the downwardly curving edge I? as best shown in Fig. 2. The channel 22 permits a circulation of air to the end of the cigarette until the latter burns to the edge 23 (see a Fig. 2).

When the end of the cigarette is thus released from support at the point a that end of the cigarette moves downwardly under the action of gravity and the cigarette engages the inclined edge ll approximately at the point I1 in Fig. 8. At the point H the edge I"! presents a substantially edges I 8 and point b on edge 25 (see Figs. 1 and 5)) It will be noted (see Figs. 3 and 9) that points b and b are at the same elevation on an accurate seat at the convergence of the downwardly converging portions of edge ll, and, as best shown in Fig. 5, that a line drawn through points b and b is at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette when inposition B, so that the support afforded by points b and b is relatively stable, and not a potential source of movement. The rearward points of support 13 and b are at a slightly higher elevation than points b and b (see Fig. 9) so that the cigarette rests in a slightly downwardly inclined position as best shown in Fig. 2. Point b is on a downwardly inclined portion of edge l8 and point 12 is on downwardly inclined edge 25, slightly higher than the previously mentioned point 17 It will also be noted from Figs. 1, 5, and 9 that the edge 25, on which point b is located, slopes rearwardly and toward the longitudinal axis of the cigarette while the portion of edge It on which point I) is located slopes forwardly and toward said 1ongitudinal axis. The points b and b are thus positioned on edges inclined in a direction to impose a counter-clockwise turning force to the cigarette when the weight imposed on either point is substantially increased by the's'hiit of the center of weight of the cigarette, as the latter burns toward the rear. Furthermore, a line T, see Fig. 5, drawn through the points b and b makes an angle V, which is other than a right angle, with the line S which is drawn between the centers of the seat 17 -41 and the seat b b The line S coincides with the axis of the cigarette when the latter is in position B. As longas the major portion of the weight of the cigarette is on the seat b -b the cigarette retains its position B. Due to the fact that the line T crosses the axis of the cigarette at other than a right angle the points b -b are potentially capable of exerting a counter-clockwise torque on the cigarette, tending to turn the cigarette into a position along a line H- at righ angles to the line T between the points 532 and b. This torque becomes effective as the cigarette burns back, the relativepressure on points b and. b decreasing as the center of gravity shifts toward the mouth end of the cigarette while the pressure on the torque points 12 and [1 increases. As the pressure on the torque points b and b increases the cigarette tends to turn counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, to bring its longitudinal axis at right angles to the line through points b -and b The eiliectiveness of the torque is increased by the fact that points I) and b as above pointed-out'are on having a steep downward pitch whereas the curvature between points b and b -is rela tively slight as best shown in Fig. 9 and also shown in Fig. 3 unit Y.

In its turning movement from position B the rear end of the cigarette tips downwardly as it turns while the burning end rises until at the completion of the movement the ci arette comes to rest in a substantially horizontal position C, best shown in Fig. 6. lniposition Cthe'axisof the cigarette lies in the verticalrplane passing points are not critical through the axis G of the groove 2| and the mouth end portion of the cigarette is supported at points 0 and c on the throat 20 of groove 2|. The burning end portion of the cigarette rests on a. point e on edge ll, the point 0 being approximately on the line R of Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 10 the points 0 c and c are at approximately the same elevation. The movement from positionB to position C will be gradual or abrupt depending on the steepness of the curvature of the supporting edges employed. The cigarette will remain in position C until it burns back to the point of overbalance when the lighted end is tipped up in a substantially vertical plane to the position D where the rear portion is seated snugly in groove 25 The cigarette will then continue to burn, but at a diminished rate because of its upwardly llted position, until the throat 20 is reached, at which point it is extinguished by the close confinement of the walls of the groove.

For reasons of clearness of illustration the several positions have been shown quite widely separated and the movements described as relatively abrupt. It will be understood, however, that a greater or less number of successive movements nay be provided and such movements may be made abrupt or gradual by suitably varying the angle or abruptness of the slopes involved. In the illustrative embodiment, the first movement, from position A to B, is broadly eifected by the interposition of a sloping edge l1 slightly below and between initial end supports, the sloping edge serving to direct the cigarette to a new position of rest when one of the initial supports is released by the burning of the cigarette. The described movement from B to C is broadly effected by the shifting of the pressure to the points b and b as the cigarette isfurther consumed. This pressure acts by virtue of the torque resulting from the inclination of the edges on which either one, or both, of the points 2: and b are located and also by the torque imposed by the position of these points relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. these several torque producing arrangements be combined as shown, the use of any one willserve' my purposes.

The order of the positions is not essential nor is the invention-limited to any particular number of movements. For some purposes the provision of a single sidewise movement to or from a horizontal or inclined position or between inclined positions may be all that is desired. By my invention it is possible burning and to minimize sweating and the iorma tion of objectionable deposits, and the illustrative embodiment described will enable those skilled in the art to apply my novel method in various ways in the control of an unattended cigarette.

While in the preceding description I have re ferred'to designated points of contact, these perfectly round and the cigarette in practice has a substantial latitude in finding its several posirim portion and an ash receiving trough'formed l inwardly thereof, said rim portion having sharply defined inner and outer edges, the surface'of said rim: between the edges being depressed, a seat for supporting the mouth end of a cigarette It is not essential that by any of the several means. described above to cause the cigarette'to adjust since cigarettes are seldom..

formed on said outer edge, a second seat for supporting the burning end of a cigarette formed on said inner edge, the second seat being at a lower elevation than the first seat, a line through the first seat making an angle of less than a right angle with a line drawn between the centers of the seats, said inner edge adjacent said second seat sloping upwardly to approximately the level of the first seat at a point on a line at right angles to said line through the first seat.

2. An ash tray which comprises an elevated rim portion and an ash receiving trough formed inwardly thereof, said rim portion having sharply defined inner and outer edges, the surface of said rim between said edges being depressed, said outer edge including downwardly converging portions providing points of support forming a seat for the mouth portion of a cigarette, said inner edge including downwardly converging portions providing points of support forming a seat for the burning portion of the cigarette, said second seat being at a lower elevation than said first seat, the points forming said first seat lying on a line making an angle less than a right angle with a line connecting the centers of said seats to impose a torque tending to twist the cigarette from the second seat when a major portion of the weight of the cigarette is imposed on the first seat, the downwardly converging portion of the inner edge adjacent said second seat forming a guide for directing the burning portion of the cigarette upwardly to a point of rest on said inner edge on a line substantially at right angles to the line through the points forming said first seat.

3. An ash tray which comprises a member having an annular elevated rim portion and an ash receiving trough formed inwardly thereof, a portion extending outwardly from the rim and formed with an outwardly and downwardly inclined groove having sharply defined edges, the upper surface of the rim portion having sharply defined inner and outer edges, the surface of the rim between said edges being depressed, said outer edge including portions converging downwardly to the inner end of said groove, said inner edge including portions converging downwardly to a seat for the burning end portion of a cigarette, said seat being positioned at a lower elevation than the adjacent end of said groove, one edge of said groove and the opposite downwardly inclined portion of the outer edge providing points of support forming a seat for the mouth end portion of the cigarette, a line passing through the points forming the last-named seat making an angle less than a right angle with a line connecting the centers of the seats to impose a torque tending to twist the cigarette from the firstmentioned seat when a major portion of the weight of the cigarette is imposed on the points forming the seat at the mouth end portion of the cigarette, one of the downwardly converging portions of said inner edge adjacent the first seat forming a guide for directing the burning end portion of the cigarette upwardly to a position of rest on said inner edge on a line in the vertical plane of the axis of said groove.

4. An ash tray which comprises a member having an annular elevated rim portion and a central dome portion with an annular ash receiving trough between the rim and dome, a portion extending outwardly from the rim portion and formed with an outwardly and downwardly inclined groove having sharply defined inner and outer edges, the surface of the rim between said edges being depressed, said outer edge including portions converging downwardly to the inner end of said groove, said inner edge including portions converging downwardly to a seat for the burning end portion of a cigarette, said seat being positioned at a lower elevation than the adjacent end of the groove, the inner end of the groove and said dome providing means for supporting a cigarette in bridging relation to one of said downwardly converging portions of said inner edge at one side of said seat, said bridged edge forming a guide to direct the burning end portion of the cigarette into said seat when released from the dome, one edge of said groove and the opposite downwardly inclined portion of the outer edge providing points of support forming a seat for the mouth end portion of the cigarette when the burning end portion is seated in said first seat, a line passing through the points forming the second seat making an angle less than a right angle with a line connecting the centers of the seats to impose a torque tending to twist the cigarette from the first seat when a major portion of the weight of the cigarette is imposed on the points forming the seat at the mouth end portion of the cigarette, the other of said downwardly converging portions of said inner edge adjacent the first seat forming a guide for directing the burning end portion of the cigarette upwardly to a position of rest on said inner edge on a line in the vertical plane of the axis of said groove,

HAROLD M. FODDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA TENTS Number Name Date D. 123,318 Wright Oct. 29, 1940 D. 130,014 Blatz Oct. 21, 1941 1,941,844 Larkin Jan. 2, 1934 2,092,743 Hirner Sept. 14, 1937. 2,199,205 Litschgi Apr. 30, 1940 2,213,046 Mather Aug. 27, 1940 2,250,178 Brush July 22, 1941 2,334,735 Trimble Nov. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 265,406 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1927 513,212 Great Britain Oct. 6, 1939 100,677 Australia Mar. 30, 1937 455,445 Germany Feb. 3, 1928 645,204 Germany May 24, 1937 

